Sunday letters: Readers respond to state Sen. Bettencourt

Texas Senator Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, answers a question from Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, during a discussion of his property tax bill during the regular session, Tuesday, March 21, 2017. The bill, SB2, puts further restrictions on city and county property tax revenues and was approved by the senate. The bill will move on to the House of Representatives.

Photo: JERRY LARA

State issue

Regarding "Property tax bills remain out of whack" (Page A19, Tuesday), before state Sen. Paul Bettencourt and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick complain about local property taxes, they should be honest about the part they play in driving our taxes through the roof.

Between 2010 and 2017, the state reduced funding to Houston ISD by $281 million. They also cut additional aid for property tax relief by $169 million, and they increased recapture collections by $103 million. That's a total reduction in school funding of $553 million.

To manage under budget constraints imposed by Austin, Houston ISD increased taxes by $582 million during the same period. Yet total spending per student actually declined 5 percent because our student population is growing.

In addition to de-funding schools, state lawmakers like Bettencourt refuse to close a loophole in the property tax system that allows owners of large, commercial and industrial properties to underpay their taxes. In 2006 it was estimated to cost $4 billion per year statewide, and these lost revenues cause a dollar-for-dollar increase in property taxes paid by homeowners and small businesses.

Taxpayers in Bettencourt's district have every right to be angry, but they should be angry at state lawmakers like their senator. The state, as much as any school district or city or county, is responsible for our property tax crisis in Texas.

Cameron Chandler, Heath

Funding flaws

Bettencourt writes about fast-rising property taxes and makes several valid points, but in his commentary he also points out the big disconnect between his words and his actions post-Harvey.

The senator boldly claims that he has "advocated for a third west-side reservoir to be built in response to Hurricane Harvey" but is silent on how this $500 million project might be paid for.

Once again it should be pointed out that the senator and his Republican colleagues could meet in special session at any time and allocate a portion of the state's $10 billion-plus Rainy Day Fund money for this third reservoir and other flood mitigation projects but have instead chosen not to do so.

David Bradley, Spring

Free ad

Paul Bettencourt has made a lot of money over the years convincing gullible people that their taxes are too high. Why did you give him free advertising on your editorial page just as the county property tax statements came out? There is no reason we should believe a word he says on this subject.